Police officer charged with leaving crash

A police officer in Alice Springs is facing charges after apparently witnessing and then leaving the scene of a serious car accident in which five boys were injured, including one as young as 10.

A 12-year-old boy was allegedly behind the wheel when he lost control of a utility vehicle which rolled and hit a tree on a dirt road near Charles Creek at about 2am on Friday.

Four others aged 15, 13, 11 and 10 were also in the vehicle.

Police said the car had been stolen from an Alice Springs business, and confirmed they had been following the vehicle and attempting to engage the boys before the crash, although insist it was not a pursuit.

A 40-year-old constable was later charged with failing to rescue, failing to stop after a crash, and failing to render assistance.

The officer has been suspended from duty, and will face court at a later date.

The boys were taken to Alice Springs Hospital with various injuries, none of which was considered life-threatening, police said, but included at least one broken leg and arm.